[gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

Mon Oct 8 02:03:01 CDT 2007

If you haven't already, The American foundation for The Blind reviews many
of these products and you may want to go to their site.  wwwafb.org 

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of don bishop
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 1:30 AM
To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

Dane,

That's fine.  AS you may have gathered, I am definitely a fan of the MPower.
I try to be objective, but it is really hard.  The applications on the
MPower are quite good and it does work well as a display both under window
eyes and jfw.

I understand there is a new pacmate either out or coming out called the
Omni, but I really don't know that much about it, especially if it addresses
some of the pacmate problems which exist in the existing units.

Seems like everyone hypes their own products which is quite understandable,
so really, hands-on seems to be the best approach for making decision if you
can swing it.

Feel free to contact me any time regarding the braillenote products. 
No, I don't work for Humanware.  <smile>

Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dane Trethowan" <grtdane at iprimus.com.au>
To: "'NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List'" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

> Thanks Don!
> Yes, I did consider a USB-serial converter, I have both an Alva 
> 320 and Alva
> 380 display. JAWS and Window-Eyes will support these displays 
> still but my
> Apple Mac won't, well unless I run a virtual PC on the Mac which I 
> can do.
> I was mosnt interested in your observations on the Braillenote and 
> Pacmate
> and its given me something to think about, running third party 
> applications
> really won't worry me all that much I don't think, so long as I 
> can use the
> device affectively to communicate with other devices and so long 
> as the
> device will connect to my PC and allow me to use it as a Braille 
> Disply and
> possibly a voice synthesizer then I'll be more than happy.
> I'll take a look at what GW Micro have to offer, I'd like to talk 
> to you
> more about the Braillenote so by all means keep in touch.
> Cheers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of don bishop
> Sent: Monday, 8 October 2007 3:22 PM
> To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?
>
> Dane,
>
> This doesn't directly address your question regarding the type of
> note taker to get, but do you think a usb to serial adapter might
> get your braille display working.  You didn't mention what kind of
> display it is.  Just a thought.
>
> I got a note taker for many of the same reasons you are 
> considering
> one now.  I personally like the braillenote, and specifically the
> MPower qt-32 which has a 32-character display and a qwerty 
> keyboard.
>
> It does only run applications specifically written for the keysoft
> operating system while the pac mate will reportedly run many 3rd
> party applications.  So, if this is a concern for you, you need to
> take that into account.
>
> The quality of braille on the MPower is excellent as well.
>
> I have not personally used a pacmate and really don't want to get
> into the product bashing mode which these types of discussions
> usually get to.  Both systems have their plusses and minusses and 
> it
> probably really depends on what you would primarily use the device
> for.  I'd really suggest trying to get a serious demo of both
> products and maybe even be allowed to use each for a few days to 
> see
> for yourself.
>
> As for gps, the Sendero gps system for the braillenote is truly a
> superior product and works extremely well.  It is also extremely
> easy to install which I've heard the gps for the pacmate is not at
> all easy to install.  But, lest the bashing begin, my reports on
> installing to the pacmate are all second hand, so don't take it as
> gospel.
>
> Finally, as if this wasn't enough, you might also wish to consider
> the notetakers sold by gwmicro, the developers of window eyes.
>
> You can get information on these machines at:
>
> www.gwmicro.com
> and there is quite a bit of detailed information there.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Don
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dane Trethowan" <grtdane at iprimus.com.au>
> To: <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:43 PM
> Subject: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?
>
>
>> Hi Everyone!
>>
>> Ok, if I may outline my situation here, regrettably my hearing 
>> has
>> become
>> worse so I'm looking at various pieces of equipment which will
>> allow me to
>> A: make the most of what remaining hearing I have and B:, allow 
>> me
>> to work
>> and play affectively as my hearing keeps degrading, unfortunately
>> it looks
>> as though degradation will continue but not to worry <smile>.
>>
>> I have a Braille display here but it is well past its prime, that
>> is to say
>> no new computer systems will work with the thing because new
>> computers these
>> days are not equipped with serial or parallel ports so I've been
>> pondering
>> this problem, if I were to get a new Braille display then I may 
>> as
>> well pay
>> the extra and get a portable device such as a BrailleNote or
>> Pacmate and
>> yep, coming to this conclusion has meant that I've had to swallow
>> a little
>> of my pride as I've been of the opinion that these devices have
>> been "pieces
>> of over-priced trash" in the past <smile>.
>>
>> So I'm asking, what device would be better in my situation or are
>> they both
>> on a par with each other? I have to admit that the GPS features
>> that the
>> latest version of the Braillenote offers sounds most attractive.
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear from both Keynote and Pacmate users or
>> perhaps
>> from anyone who has a device which beats those two, one just 
>> never
>> knows
>> what's out there these days.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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